Human interaction. That’s the antidote to a low mood. I’ve found that the times I’ve felt my lowest emotionally have been the times I’ve also felt the most isolated. Humans are social creatures. We are engineered to live in tribes. Remove the social aspect and your mental health takes a hit. A thriving social ecosystem around you, on the other hand, means that you’ll have a thriving mind.
I had a pretty rough week filled with anxiety, frustration (owing to the coronavirus situation in Bangalore), and severe mood swings. When I sat back and analyzed what had changed, I realized that over the last few weeks, the time I’d spent socializing with others had drastically reduced.
So on Saturday, I spent a lot of time talking to my friends virtually. My mother and I also went to Starbucks and got a cup of coffee. The effect was instantaneous – I felt so much better at the end of the day.
So the next time you feel low, just reach out to your friends and family. It will probably work better than an anti-depressant.